Sunlight breaking through the trees in the New Forest
The largest ever gathering of P&O cruise ships will happen in Southampton on 3rd July. Seven ships and 15,000 passengers will gather in the port and it will be quite a sight.
Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal will be in attendance to see this historic occasion.
“The Grand Event” is part of a year of celebrations marking the 175th anniversary of the Peninsular Steam Navigation Company being awarded the lucrative Admiralty contract to carry mail to the Iberian Peninsula and beyond.
P&O Cruises managing director Carol Marlow said: “Whereas the very first P&O ships plied their trades to the Iberian Peninsular and the Orient, P&O Cruises ships sail throughout Europe, the Caribbean, South America, Scandinavia, Mediterranean, Atlantic islands and, of course, on round the world cruises. What was once a national necessity is now a national pastime and is worthy of a grand celebration.”
The ships will then depart in procession with a spectacular send off. A champagne deck party, flutterfetti, marching bands and a display by the famous Red Arrows aerobatic team will see them on their way.
Once in the open water, the ships will meet again, saluting one another before they sail onwards to their various destinations.
The seven P&O ships that will be in port on 3rd July are:
Rough times to see the ships are:
The Red arrows are due to fly at around 19.20pm, weather permitting.
